Better Range, Projection & Facility! | H for Hands | Trumpet A-Z, S01E08

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Interested to hear your thoughts on left and right hand positions, on the trumpet! Please comment with this or any other questions or feedback.

[@rwc.8342]

I have just recently developed the bad habit of gripping the valve casing so hard that I now have persistent pain in my wrist. I tend to grip hard as play at the top and above the staff (stave, for you UK folks). I have not watched the video on the grip, but I'm sure this could be a problem in others as well. So all young players take warning do not hold your trumpet with the death grip. I am a comeback player having played in high school. Now that I am older and retired I have found quirks I never experienced when I was a teenager. My valve hand has arthritis in the index finger and my right ring finger and this sometimes this seems to affect my dexterity. Although I was taught not to use the trumpet's support ring, I have found it seems to sometimes help me depress the second and third valves by using the support ring.

[@claudioflabiano372]

I'd like to see a good explanation of the right hand correct position when using plunger mute, how to move fingers freely , not just few notes as I can do.... :( Thanks

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

RW C. - Thanks for watching, and taking the time to comment. Sorry to hear you've developed a painful habit. Although, the grip in G for Grip is actually referring to the lips on the mouthpiece, the tip for holding the trumpet and lessening mouthpiece pressure caused by "strong-arming" will probably be helpful to you. Please watch it at kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnXWgYGGZZWsgLM It's interesting that using the pinky ring seems to be helpful in moving your third finger - I would have expected the opposite, given how the motion of the ring finger and pinky are linked. I learned something new, which makes today a good day! :-)

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Hi Claudio. Thanks for watching. I'm not sure if what I do is "correct", necessarily, but I can certainly record a demonstration. Please subscribe to the channel so you don't miss it.

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Watch my demonstration at kzbin.info/www/bejne/gF6yo2t6mLZkg9k. Thanks for the suggestions!

[@BradyMorris-o8b]

Awesome vid! I often play regular concert band music, and marching band music, the latter requiring a tight grip at times. Although, I feel like my tight grip has affected me negatively, so thank you for bringing this to my attention.

[@ultramanxk7]

In 2012 I went in a flea market and I bought an old beat up trumpet, (of course I did Buy a brand new mouthpiece), and the rest is history, I bought afterwards a Hutchen trumpet, Which I love a Lot!

[@ultramanxk7]

I did get My combination drill book, I shall get the rest as I develop My trumpet skills, thanks Mr Bryan Davis!

[@tjnunez2031]

Super video. I had used the death grip which probably limited my true upper register. Just had a solid high g above c. Always wanted to play a solid double c. By watching all of your videos I truly believe any trumpet player can achieve their goals. Practice with a strategy with the excellent content you offer will accomplish this. Thanks

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Just trying to spread a bit of common sense in the midst of the online chaos surrounding brass technique! :-) Thanks for watching!

[@richard_zeller]

Fascinating commentary on left-hand position as it relates to lead playing. I've found leaving JUST my index finger over the third-valve slide always works better for me when lead playing, though I use more of a "spock" hold (as another poster said it) for most of my normal playing. never really put much thought into why it helps with lead playing but I think you've given me something to think about.

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Thanks for watching. I’m happy to have provided food for thought!

[@evilwestsidefan9249]

Lower grip for normal play if I use the slide I move my hand for the adjustment and hold in lower grip. Closing the slide back I just squeeze my hand shut.

[@MiltonTheTortoise]

Bryan, is there any recommendations you might have for the left hand positioning, specifically for those of us with smaller hands? The trumpet I have is just a beginner model with a 3rd valve ring (I feel is) set quite far forward. I'm just starting to use the valve slides in practice and using either the wedding ring or middle finger tends to feel like it is struggling to stretch and move this 3rd slide any distance beyond 1 to 1.5cm. Is it possible that I don't need to move the valve slide further than that? Great videos - enjoying the education!

[@casivake7480]

I have a concern about the hand position, when I try playing with the index finger on the ring, my hand starts to cramp. So, I just stick to the ring finger on the ring since it is comfortable for me. I don't have an adjustable ring on the third valve slide. Is it okay if I stick to how I normally grip my horn? Edit: I usually play salsa/hispanic music or lead jazz trumept.

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Thanks for watching and commenting. It’s absolutely ok to stick with whatever is comfortable. I would always recommend that. The purpose of all of these videos is to highlight some things you may not have thought about, and to pass along some things I’ve learned that may make your life easier. Not everything will work for everybody, since we’re all different.

[@Yoshinori76]

So I have pretty big hands as a bigger guy. I "Spock" the left hand, placing my ring and pinky underneath the 3rd slide, leaving my middle finger to utilize the trigger or 3rd ring depending on which trumpet I'm playing at the time. Otherwise I'm cramming a bunch of fingers between the bell land 3rd slide

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Ultimately, comfort dictates the hand position for most of us. I do it both of those ways at different times.

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

I particularly enjoy the use of ‘Spock’ as a verb, here. Live long and prosper!

[@davidmenichini1756]

Cool vid, been listening to a lot of Marquis Hill recently, ever considered an S for subtone?

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Thanks for watching, David. That’s a good suggestion. We have a couple of options for S already, but it’s on the list. Perhaps I can press gang a similar topic into a different letter!

[@davidmenichini1756]

Airflow Music Cool thanks! I saw you with the ALJO the other day, you guys are killer

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Thanks for coming out. Glad you enjoyed the show. Please say hello next time!

[@donnykent35]

...and then there is AL Hirt's right hand!

[@TripleMMM1231]

My grip is exactly like Wayne Bergeron

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Good for you. Thanks for watching.

[@paulgrimm6850]

The mouthpiece is more important than the horn .Invest in a quality mouthpiece like a Monette .

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

I respectfully disagree, but to each their own. Happy New Year to you, sir.

[@paulgrimm6850]

@@AirflowMusicNYC You’re most likely right. I started on a Mt Vernon Bach in band . It was easier to play,but I knew nothing about mouthpieces . I used a Bach 7 C but know there’s so many options . Happy New Years . I’m starting back up at 69 years old

[@paulgrimm6850]

@@AirflowMusicNYC 🚙

[@paulgrimm6850]

True

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Welcome back to the trumpet. Have fun playing again!